State Partnership Program

Established in 2003, the goal of the State Partnership Program is to establish broad reaching, friendly ties between partner states and partner countries at all levels of society utilizing the National Guard as the catalyzing force and means of support.

September 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence, and the partnership between the Virginia National Guard and Tajikistan is in its 14th year. As part of the SPP, the Virginia National Guard regularly conducts information exchanges on a variety of subjects related to security and emergency response operations. The Guard also facilitates trips from Tajikistani officials to the United States.

Officers from the Tajikistan Ministry of Defense who specialize in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives response operations conducted an information exchange with personnel for the Virginia National Guard’s 34th Civil Support Team Feb. 21-22, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The exchange was part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program that links states and partner nations in support of mutual interests, and their visit also included a tour of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and meeting with officials from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

SPP News

Del. David Reid and State Senator Bryce Reeves, co-chairs of the Virginia General Assembly Military and Veterans Caucus, present House Joint Resolution No. 673 commending the 20th anniversary of Virginia National Guard’s State Partnership Program with the Republic of Tajikistan to Gen. Col. Rajabali Rahmonali, first deputy chair and commander of the Border Guard, State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan, Sept. 20, 2023, in Richmond, Virginia. Rahmonali also presented a gift to retired Maj. Gen. Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, joined the presentation and the tour of the Virginia Capitol Building. The Tajik delegation also received information briefings at the VNG’s Sergeant Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.
Joint resolution recognizes 20th anniversary of VNG partnership with Tajikistan
Oct. 3, 2023
Del. David Reid and State Senator Bryce Reeves presented House Joint Resolution No. 673 commending the 20th anniversary of Virginia National Guard’s State Partnership Program with the Republic of Tajikistan to Gen. Col. Rajabali Rahmonali Sept. 20, 2023, in Richmond, Virginia.
Three Virginia National Guard Soldiers participate in marksmanship exchange with female members of Tajik National Police Sept. 5-9, 2023, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.
VNG marksmanship experts conduct historic exchange in Tajikistan
Sept. 29, 2023
Three Virginia National Guard Soldiers participated in marksmanship exchange with female members of Tajik National Police Sept. 5-9, 2023, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.
Three Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team competed in HÄYHÄ 2023, a Finnish Sniper Championship, held Aug. 25-27, near Taipalsaari, Finland. Staff Sgt. Matthew Dawson, Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson and Sgt. Gavin Asbury made up one of 26 teams to compete in the competition, which focused on the basic skills of a sniper. The event was organized by the Finnish Sniper Guild in cooperation with the Finnish Reserve Sports Association and the National Defense Training Association.
Red Dragon shooters compete in Finnish sniper championship
Sept. 5, 2023
Three Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team competed in HÄYHÄ 2023, a Finnish Sniper Championship, held Aug. 25-27, near Taipalsaari, Finland. 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers conducted a mountain warfare exchange with soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan July 24-29, 2023, in Romit, Tajikistan. The exchange was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.
VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare exchange in Tajikistan 
Aug. 3, 2023
Five Virginia National Guard Soldiers conducted a mountain warfare exchange with soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan July 24-29, 2023, in Romit, Tajikistan.
Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing, conducted an engineer exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan June 5 - 9, 2023, at the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Center in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
203rd RED HORSE conducts engineer exchange in Tajikistan
June 26, 2023
Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing, conducted an engineer exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan June 5 - 9, 2023, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.